Inquest into sudden death of woman at Teesside Airport

Salote Golightly, 53, died suddenly at Teesside International Airport before she was due to fly to Finland earlier this year.

An inquest at Crook Coroners’ Court heard how Salote had appeared fine to her mum and husband just an hour before she dropped to the floor at the check-in desk on January 25.

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Salote’s mum told the inquest how her daughter was checking-in her luggage when she suddenly became unwell.

She said: “I went to Salote’s house the night before because our flight was very early in the morning. After arriving there we had a little chat. She looked happy and a bit excited going on holiday to Finland in the middle of winter.

“In the morning she seemed to be fine.

“After my son in law left us at the airport, she went to the desk to get rid of her luggage.

“I was ready to show my documents when the employee said ‘What’s wrong?’ to Salote.

“At that moment I was stood with my back to her. I turned and saw her start to fall backwards. She must have hit her head hard on the floor because it bounced. After that I remember the airport employees starting the resuscitation.”

Airport staff and paramedics attempted CPR and used a defibrillator on Salote but she was sadly confirmed dead at 6.04am.

A statement from a police officer who attended the scene said terminal CCTV footage showed Salote and her mum at the check-in desk with a member of staff at 5am as she was handing in her bags for their flight. At 5.03am she could be seen crouching down and then falling backwards onto the floor.

The check-in assistant serving them at the time said Salote exclaimed ‘oh no’ before falling.

The check-in area at Teesside Airport. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Salote, who worked in the NHS, was previously healthy apart from suffering from arthritis.

A post-mortem examination found no evidence of any trauma and a toxicologist said Salote had no alcohol or drugs in her system at the time.

Her cause of death was recorded as natural.

Concluding the inquest Jeremy Chipperfield, Senior Coroner for County Durham and Darlington, said: “Salote’s was clearly a shocking, sudden, unexpected collapse having shown no signs of illness.

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“I regret that we can’t form a firm conclusion on a medical cause of death in Salote’s case. Safe to say that it was a natural death - there had been no indication of any trauma or of any toxicological or unnatural reason.

“On the 25th of January (2023) she collapsed and died suddenly at Teesside International Airport and her death was one of natural causes. I wish I could say more”.

Speaking to Salote’s family in court he added: “I am so sorry for your loss and the shock of it.”